Needle motion



Oct. 21, 1947. J CLAIRMONT 2,429,394

NEEDLE MOTION Filed Sept. 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS 1947- A. R. CLAIRMONT NEEDLE MOTION Filed Sept. 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS A. R. CLAIRMONT 2, 29,394

NEEDLE MOTION Oct. 21, 1947.

Filed Sept. 14, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l I f6 55 9 J7 191E INVENTOR ATTORNEY? from separate supplies. I n

motion includes means controlled by a pattern movement of the latter.

Patented Oct. 21 1947 NEEDLE MOTION Albert R. -Clalrmont, Amsterdam, N. Y., assignor to Mohawk Carpet Mills, Inc., Amsterdam, N. Y.', a corporation of New York Application September 14, 1945, Serial so, 616,164 I 1 This invention relates to looms in which needles are employed for inserting shots of weft or filling yarns into warp sheds in the production of fabrics. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a novel needle motion for use in such looms, which makes possible the insertion The new selective needle for presenting the different yarns to the needle for insertion thereby in a predetermined 'sequence, and, by the use of yarns of .diflerent color, for example, and an appropriate pattern element, the needle motion may be employed in the production of fabrics varying in pattern efiects.

The needle'motion of the invention comprises a needle having an open eye and means for advancing and retracting the needle to effect insertion of weft shots thereby. The weft yarns drawn from their supplies are controlled by guides, which may be moved to and from positions in which their yarns are engaged by the. needle and carried along thereby during the inserting Each yarnis. further controlled by holding means normally preventing" the yarns from being drawn from the supplies and a releasing means is provided for each holding means. A pattern device, including a pattern element, controls the movement of the guides tocause them to present their yarns to the needle in an order determined by the pattern element, and, whenever the device selects and 11 Claims. (Cl. 139-123) v by the needle of yarns of different kinds drawn are suspended and actuated by 'the usual mechanism (not shown) fromcams I2on; a shaft H to form sheds of warp yarn l5 drawn from'a beam (not shown). The shots of'weft orjfllling are inserted by aneedle l6 and are then ,beaten up by a lay ll. The completed fabric 18 is taken up by means of a spike rolljl9, which is driven by a gear, 20 onits shaft meshing with a gear 2| fast on shaft 22. A'ratchet wheel "23 fast on shaft 22"is engaged by a pawl 24 attached to an arm 25 fast on a shaft 23 supported on theloom sides. An arm 21 fast on the shaft'is connected by a rod 28 teen arm 29 secured to the lay'; so that. on each beat-upflof the layjthejratchet wheelr23 and itsshaft .22 are advanced [bygone I The needle l6 isattachedto a carnage 30' an,

able, along a guideway 3! f at the top of an extension 32 from oneof the'loom sides, and the ricedle carriage is actuated from shaft 33 connected by bevel gearing 34 to thefheddle cam shaft l3. Shaft 33 carries an arm 35 connected bya link 38 of adjustable, length to a lever 31 pivotally mounted on; an extension from the loom side.

causes, a guide to move to present its yarn to the needle, the device cooperates with other means to cause the releasing means for the holding means acting on that yarn. to free the yarn during the inserting movement of theneedle. The yarns are, accordingly, inserted into the fabric in a predetermined order and are held against movement at all times,except when they are being inserted.

For a better. understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which a v ,Fig. l is a view in plan of a loom equipped with the" new needle motion, parts of the loom being omitted;

Fi 2 is a. view of the loom in; front elevation;

'Fig. 3 is a view of the loom in side elevation looking from the left in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram; and

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the yarn holding and releasing means.

The loom shown in the drawings includes the usual sides I0, between which heddle frames ll A rod 39.00nnects the .lever to one end. of -.a. link 4ll, the otherend of which is connected to-the needle carriage. 'As, shaft 33 rotates, the needle .is moved back andforththrough the successive sheds produced by the-action of the heddle frames. The needleis of the open eye type, and weft yarns 41a, 4|b,- 4lc from a. plurality of supplies 42 mounted unsuitable supports in any conven lent location are presented in a predetermined sequence to the needle for insertion inthe fabric. The selective needle motion of the loom shown is constructed to handle three different weft yarns drawn from individual supplies thereof, and it includes threeyarn guides 43a, 43b, 43c, which are mounted on the ends of respective rods 44 extending through respective solenoids 45a,

' ports the yarnguide.

45b, and 45c supported in. any convenient manner on the loom side adjacent the extension 32. Each rod 44 is attached to a core or plunger (not shown) within itssolenoid and is encircled by a spring 46 which bears at one end against the solenoid andat the other against a head 41 at the end of the'rod opposite tothat which sup- Thesprings tend to hold the rods with their yarn guides awayrfrom the path of the needle, but upon 'energization'of any of the solenoids 45, its plunger is moved to project its rod toward the path of travel'towardthe needle, so that the yarn guide carried by the rod holds its yarn inposition'to bepicked up by the trol yarn guides 43a,' 43b, 430.

needle and carried thereby into a shed of warp threads.

The yarns drawn from the supplies pass through respective traps, each of which comprises a stationary block '48 mounted on a suitable support 49, and a movable block 50 attached to one end of a lever pivoted in standards 52 rising from support 49. A spring acts on each lever and tends to swing it to force block 50 against block 48. The other end of each lever is connected by a rod to a core within one of v solenoids 55a, 55b, and 550 and, when the-"s'ole- 4 switches a, 10b, and 100 to close those switches. However the closure of the micro-switches 10a, 10b, and 100 will cause only one of the solenoids 55a, 55b, and 550 to be energized, because only one of the switches 64a, 64b, and 54c had been closed at the'time. With the energization of one of the solenoids 55a, 55b, or 550, the trap controlnoid is energized, lever ii is swung to open the trap by raising block 50 from block :48. The

yarns from the respective supplies pass upward and over the top of support 49 throughguides 55, across blocks 48, and through guides 51. Beyond each guide 51, each yarn passes through an eye 58 at one end of clever '59 pivoted on standards 52. The other end of the lever is connected by a spring 60 to the end of alever 5i adjacent the block 50 thereon. From the eyes ",the yarns passthrough stationary guides GI and then to the spaced angularly about the surface of the drum,

so that, at any instant, only one projection engages the roller on the stem of its associated micro-switch when a pattern projection engages the roller, it forces thestem inwardly relative to the switch and causes the switch to be closed. The switches control the supply of current to the respective-solenoids .45a,'4l5b, and 450, which control the weft,yar'n 'guidesifla, 43b, 43c. v A cam drumi'l is mounted on shaft and'the drum is provided with an higharcuate portion which engages rollers -68 on stems '59 ,of respective micro-switches 10a, 10b, 100. As the-drum 01 rotates, it acts on the rollers andstems to close all of the micro-switches at the same time. These switches control the supply of current to respective solenoids "a, lib, and c which release the traps which otherwise prevent movement of the arm from the supplies.

As shown in the wiring diagram of Fig. 4, the micro-switches 64a, 64b, care in parallel connections from a source of power indicated at H to respective solenoids 45a, 45b, 450, which con- The microswitches 10a, 10b, 100 are in lines by which 'respective solenoids 55a, 55b, 550 are connected in parallel with solenoids 45a, 45b, 46c. V

In the operation of the loom, the p t rn drum 62 is advanced one step for each beat-up of the lay, that is, for'each advance and return movement of the needle; At each period of rest of the drum'. 2, oneor-the-other of thernicro-switches 64a, 84b, and 640 is closed by the actionof a pattern 'prt iection 63a, 63b, or 630, on the stem 65 of one of the micro-switches. The closure of a switch, for example, 64a, causes current to be supplied to its yam guide solenoid 45a, and the yarn guide 43a acted on by'that solenoid is then moved to a positionin which the weft yarn 4ia carried thereby lies in the path of the eye of the needle. Shortly after the needle starts its forward movement into the shed, the high'portion of the drum 6'! acts on the plungersoi' all the microling the yarn being presented to the needle by its guide 43a-will be opened and the yarnwill thereupon be released so that it can be carried I into the shed by the needle.

When theinserting movement of the needle has stopped, cam 61 will have moved .angularly to presenta low spot to the stems 60 of microswitches 10a, 10b, and Tile and all of those switches will open. The trap, which has beenopened to free the yarn, will then be closed by the action of its spring '53, and the yarn will be held against further movement during the return movement of the needle. During the time when the needle has begun its inserting movement but the trap of the yarn, which is being inserted, is still closed. the pull of the needle on the yarn will depress the lever 58, through the eye II of which the yarn isbeingdrawn. When the needle reaches the end of its advancing movement and the yarn that has-been inserted thereby is again clamped byits trap, the lever 59 will be swun! .,upwardly by its spring 60 to take up any slack in the yarn beyond the trap.

.In theloom illustrated, the selective needle motion is constructed to handle yarns from three difierent supplies, but it :will be apparent that by the additionof another row of pattern projections on drum 62 and the use of additional .mova'ble yarn guides, traps, and their associated parts, the needle motion may be constructed to handle an increased number of yarnss Also, instead oi using a pattern drum .62, various other common pattern devices-may be employed for controlling the micro-switches 64a,'64b, and 640.

The-claims are:

1. In a loonihaving a needle for inserting weft shots'into' sheds of warp yarns to produce a fabric, the combination of means for holding a plurality-3o: supplies of weft yarn, movable-yarn guides for the yarns from the respective supplies, solenoid means for moving the guides to cause them to present their yarns to the needle to: insertion thereby,solenoid means for releasing the holding means, and pattern means forselectively Y energizing the solenoid meansi'or, moving the guides and thereafter energizing the solenoid means releasing the means holding the yarn presented to the needle by its'guide.

2. In a loom having a needle for inserting welt shots into-sheds of warp yarns ,to produce a'fab- :ric, the combination of means'for holding aplura'lity i of supplies of weft yarn, movable yarn guides for theyarns from the respective supplies, separate electrical means Improving the respective guides to cause them to present their yarns to the needle for insertion thereby, separate meansnormally holding respective yarns against movement from the supplies, electrical means for releasing the individual holding means, and pattern means for selectively operating the guide moving means and thereafter operating the releasing means for the holding means for the yarn controlled by the guide moved by the selected moving means.

3. In a loom having a needle for inserting weft shots into sheds of warp yarns to produce a fabric, the combination of means for holding a plurality '01. supplies 01; =weit' yarn, movable yarn "shcts into-sheds: oirwarp yarns .toproduce; a. tabrr1cg th'e combinationflotvmeans 'foraholdinga plurr'alityi 51113171165:- oi' weit yarn, movable yarn rguides i'orsitheryarn zrrcmv therespective: supplies, itmeans urging ithe:respectivevguidesz-toirpositions remote: :frcnir the-:ineedlaa means. rorszmoving the guidestto-'ircause'ethemaitoi.present their-yarns to the:needlei-forinsertion thereby; spring actuated meansiicrmazllysholdingithe yarns. against movei-:'holding"rneans';':-andapatternimeans for 'selectively ament: fromrthe supplies, meanslfor. releasing. the

. :ziactuating. thegguide movingrmeansand thereafter ric, the combination of means for holding .a plu' reality: of supplies of weft' yarn,'- movable'ayarn; guides for the yarns from the respective supplies, I electrical means for movingthe guides to cause them to presenttheir yarns tozthe'needlefor insertionthereby, means normally holding the yarns against movement from the supplies, electrical means for releasing theiholding means, switches controlling the respective. releasing means," pattern controlled means for selectively operating the moving means to causeia yarn tobe presented to the needle, and meansfor actuating the switch :of the releasing means for the h'oldingqmeans for said yarn to cause'the yarn-"tube releasedas the needle moves into the shed and to be :held" when the inserting movement-ofthe needle ends.

5. In a loom having aneedle for inserting weft "shots into sheds of" warp yarns to produce a' fabricjthe combination. ofrmeans forholding. a pluralitypfsupplies of Weftiyarn, ,movable yarn' guides for the yarns from the: respective Supp ies, a plurality ofelectrical 'm'eans for'moving the re-' spective guides'to cause themto present their yarns to the-needle forainsertion therebyyra switch for controlling each: moving. means, a-plurality of means for holding -respective-yarns against/movement from the supplies; an electriw'calmeansnfor releasing each" of the .holding means,-zthe releasing meanswbeing connected-in parallel-with the corresponding moving-means,

switches "controlling the indiVidu'aI: releasing means, patterncontrolled means for selectively closing the switches contr'olling the "moving means, and means op'erable to closeall thef switches controlling: the sreleasing meansmwhe'n the needle 'starts itsinserting movement, and-to open all said switches-when the:insertingrm'ove I ment ofthe needlehasended.

6. In a loom havinganeed'le for insertingweft shots into sheds of .warpyarns to produce affabric; the combinationpfmeans for holding a..plu-

rality of supplies 'of weft yarn, movable yarn; guides for the yarnslfrom therespective supplies,

a plurality-of electrical means for moving respectiveguides .to cause them toepresent itlieiryarns --'to the-needle-for insertion ethereby, a, source-of. power:connected to thew-moving 'means;--switches;i in the" connections for 'controlling Ethe supply or power to individual: holding means; aapluralitypf means -for holding respective yarns against. movement from their supplies, electrical means torre- =leasing individual iholding: means, said releasing means: being connectedjnxparallel to: correspond-' ing' moving means, switches controlling .thesupply of current .torthe releasing meanspattern controlled "means ,for operating 'the .moving means switchesselectively, and means forficlosing: :all thereleasingmeans switches, when the needle "starts its inserting motion, and closing :said switches when the. inserting motion 'of the needle has-ended.

7. In a loom having a needle for. inserting weft ..:ing:meansaineffective; a-source of, power, pattern 4 means -'for riconne'cting; the-source selectively to the yarn guide ."soleno'ids'v to cause the latter. to

I.tor theselectedryam guidesolenoid totthe source operating the releasing means gcorresponding theretoduring tthe'einse'rtion of 'theneedle' only.

8. I Ina loonirhaving aineedle for inserting weft shots. into'lsheds; of iwarp yams. tozproduce .a. fabric, the-combination" of meanslfor. holding a plurality. oft supplies of "weft yarn, movable yarn guides for. the yarns from the respective sup- .pIiesJmeansurQingtherespective guides to aposition remote from Jthegneedle, electrical means for'rmoving theindividual guides to cause them to present their-"yarnsrto the needle for insertion thereby; 'springactuated means normally holding the individual" yarns againshmovement .Irom the supplies, electricalsmeans for releasinz he holdring means, and pattern means for selectively actuating. the guide "moving: means. and thereafter operating the 3 releasing means corresponding thereto, saidzreleasing'means being rendered inefiectiveby thetpatternxmeans whenthe insertingsrnovement of .the'needle ends.

9;1In: a loomahaving a'needlelforinserting weft shots :intorsheds ofwarpyarnstd producea fab- ..ric, the combination ofmeans forholdinga plurality .of supplies -ofweftv yarn,'-movable yarn .guides' rorithe'yarns fromthe respective supplies, springszurging. the respective guidesaway from the'zneedle, solenoids associated with the respec- .tivegguides'andioperable to. move the guides to ,presentbtheir"yarnsito the needlefor insertion thereby,v spring actuated means .for holding the individualiyarns-against-movement from thesupplies, solenoids; associated with 1 the respective ,holdingmeans-and operable to .render such hold- .operate: one. at .a "time, and means for connecting thesolenoid .ofi-themoldingsmeans corresponding or. power duringathe "inserting. movement or the needle.

"10.i.In .aaloom h'a vinga needlev for inserting weftrshots into :sheds -of warp "yarns to produce .1 a. fabric, .takeeupl'meansfor the. fabric, a-lay; and

' tmeans,operatedbysthelay' forsdriving the takezup means, thecombination' ofxmeansifor. holding a3: pluralityt-zrofssupplies of. weft yarn, movable "guides foritheyarns-irom the respective supplies,

x-meanswformovingItheguides. to' cause them to present their yarns: to *the' needlewfor: insertion i therebyg'.trapsxforxthe:respective yarns, and pat- .-\tern"means fora-selectively operating the guide moving-fmeansiand:thereafter. releasing the trap ..-a;cting:on-the' yarn; the guide; for whichhas been moved, (said pattern; means including a pattern element connected to. a part of:the meansdriving .thetake-up-meansand advanced step-wise thereby.

1. .In a-loonr havinga nee'dleforinserting weft shotsrintozsheds ofwarp yarns to produce a fabriccand a 'lay'for beating-upthe insertedxshots, .the combination :ofrmeans .for. holding a plurality 1 or supplies of weft yarns'; trapsfor thev individual 7 gamma-movable guides for the individual yams, means for moving the guides to cause them to present their yarns to the needle for insertion thereby, and pattern means forv selectively operating the guide moving means and thereafter-re- 5 leasing the yarn, the guide for which has been moved, said pattern meansincludmg-a pattern element advanced step-wise by the lay.

ALBERT a CLAIRMONT. nnmnENcE'scrmn The following references are o'freco'rd in th tile 0! this patent:

' 1 Number i Great Britain Aul. 11, 1932' 

